Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aureliuswas Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. He ruled with Lucius Verus as co-emperor from 161 until Verus' death in 169. Marcus Aurelius was the last of the so-called Five Good Emperors. He was a practitioner of Stoicism, and his untitled writing, commonly known as the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, is the most significant source of our modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth26 April 121
CityRome, Italy
coming existence hurrying others
Some things are hurrying into existence, and others are hurrying out of it; and of that which is coming into existence part is already extinguished
allowed content fret grievance instead living measure pounds since substance three time
Do you make a grievance of weighing so many pounds only instead of three hundred? Then why fret about living so many years only, instead of more? Since you are content with the measure of substance allowed you, be so also with the measure of time
however man
However much a man gives, there is more that he withholds
astonished happens man ridiculous
How ridiculous and unrealistic is the man who is astonished at anything that happens in life.
living men praise praised seen strangely themselves time value whom
How strangely men act. They will not praise those who are living at the same time and living with themselves; but to be themselves praised by posterity, by those whom they have never seen or ever will see, this they set much value on.
altogether points save trouble
I could do without your face, Chloe, and without your neck, and your hands, and your limbs, and to save myself the trouble of mentioning the points in detail, I could do without you altogether
folk night stars thou thy
Come, Caesar, even by night - let stars delay; If thou but come, thy folk will find it day
cap chap decent face feather foot hair quite
Your face is black, your hair like flame, And one eye's damaged, one foot lame: If, still, you're quite decent chap - Well 'tis a feather in your cap
burying delight fingers gold great legs poor pound rings setting suited thus using weight
Zoilus, why do you delight in using a whole pound weight of gold for the setting of a stone, and thus burying your poor sardonyx? Such rings are more suited to your legs the weight is too great for fingers
add carved finely fish relief swim
You see these fish carved finely in relief by Phidian art? Add water; they will swim
deny violated
You say, Senca, that you were violated by robbers, but the robbers deny it
life thoughts
Your life is what your thoughts make it.
hair legs manliness mind shows signs
Your legs and breast bristle with shaggy hair but your mind, Pannicus, shows no signs of manliness
men poetry poor presents send
You may send poetry to the rich; to poor men give substantial presents